Friendly's rebirth in Albany

Eagan told stories of how he had been going to Friendly's years, and that it is one of his family's favorite destinations for birthday celebrations.

"[It's] one of the little sort of traditions we have in our family " whether it's my birthday, or my wife's birthday or either of our children's birthdays," he said. "And when you talk about the brand of Friendly's, Friendly's stands for fun."

Following the announcement and in a campaign titled "Random Acts of Friendliness," Agadi went around to three locations in the Capital Region, beginning in Albany and continuing on to Clifton Park and Saratoga Springs, and surprised a customer with a $1,000 reward.

While at the store on Central Avenue, Agadi chose Peter Porcello as the recipient of $1,000.

Agadi slowly counted 10 crisp $100 bills on the table until he reached the targeted amount as Porcello's 3-year-old daughter, Laura, shied away from the attention by hiding under the table.

"I wasn't thinking at all he would come over here," he said, adding he was "very shocked" once Agadi approached him.

When asked what he would do with the money, he didn't have to put much thought into it.